This whole shindig has been going for close to a year, but if you're new to it all, let me briefly explain: Quick List Vote Game (or QLVG for short) is a 5 stage voting game that takes place across a fortnight. The aim is to take a list of 100 songs and eliminate the bottom 20 songs per voting each round until there are just 20 songs left and a winner is crowned from that. Voting is done by selecting some 25-40% of the remaining songs each round and submitting it to my memo inbox before the voting deadline, which comes up at 6pm on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays. Scoring in each round works as simple: regardless of how many songs you vote for, your #1 vote will score 40 points, and each subsequent song will score 1 point less, going down to #40 votes in round 1 scoring just 1 point. With each new round, you are free to adjust how many songs you wish to vote for, either for strategy or personal reasons, so long as it complies with the range that is set for that voting round. If you miss a round of voting, your previous round's votes will be re-used with a 20% penalty (so your top vote will get 32 points, #2 gets 31.2, etc), and your vote will consist of as many of your previously voted songs as possible, provided it doesn't go over the limit. This means that someone who voted 25 songs in round 1, could potentially be made to vote for 25 songs again in round 2. The 20% penalty stacks upon successive rounds. Meanwhile, to grant some purpose to your earlier votes, from round 2 onwards, I take 25% of a song's total points scored and add them to the total for the next round. In the event of a tie in points between two eliminated songs, if possible the tie will be broken by the number of (active) voters, and then the top vote received for the round. If that is not possible, the songs will be considered tied for ranking purposes. If this happens on the cusp of the elimination line (eg two songs tie at #80 for round 1) and the tie cannot be broken, all the tied songs will proceed into the next round, barring an extreme circumstance where there are somehow more than 20 songs scoring 0 points. In the interest of fairness, I will always lock in my own vote before the game begins, and I will be unable to adjust the order or proportion of my vote after that.

The list of songs included in each game is determined through a number of ways. Generally speaking, the songs will have to match a pre-determined theme, or feature on a certain list of songs that has been chosen. Typically, the theme will be chosen by a vote between multiple different themes, and from that, a voting process takes place in the Qualifying thread to determine the 100 songs that will compete in the next round. These Qualifying rounds typically open up on the Tuesday after a new QLVG is posted.

To have a say in how this goes down, I simply ask for you to select an ordered list of your Top 40 to 25 picks from this list and send it to me by 6pm on Wednesday. On Tuesday I'll start the new thread for the Qualifying game and you'll have to pick tracks from artists who have never appeared in the game before. To get you a headstart, here's a slightly messy list of artists who are ineligible for that https://pastebin.com/3LX6fEDGLast edited: 08/05/2017 05:36

This has proven to be a tough list so be on the lookout for harsh early eliminations. As usual we start relatively lightly. Enrique Iglesias's recent hits are no stranger to the #100 spot, his team up with Nicky Jam "El Perdon" achieved notoriety when it reached the Billboard Year End chart despite never cracking the top 50, giving those who define hits by peaks an existential crisis I imagine. Then at #99 is one of the more bizarre entries on this list, but thanks to Canada's now defunct singles chart from the 2000s, Nine Inch Nails can lay claim to having some #1 hits. 2007's "Survivalism" is funnily enough the first song I ever heard from the band. At #98 is Alan Walker's "Alone", which achieved some respectable success in Europe though didn't cross over to here like "Faded". #97 is Adamski's "Killer" which of course features Seal on vocals. One of the most beloved UK #1's of the '90s, is just unfortunate not to pick up more voters here. Lastly at #96 is Tiki Taane's "Always On My Mind", despite the title, it's not a cover, and it's one of the most successful songs of all time on the New Zealand charts.

While Swedish House Mafia are no more, they continue to live on in spirit, particularly as two thirds of the group continue to work together, releasing several successful singles as Axwell Λ Ingrosso, my personal favourite being "Sun Is Shining" which lands at #95. R&B singer Brandy achieved quite a bit of success in the '90s, scoring two US #1 hits which are both on this list. The first of which is "Have You Ever" at #94, which is the second most likely song to make me want to reference Round The Twist after Haim's "Falling". A peculiar song that I always envision as a worldwide smash, The Vapors' "Turning Japanese" has me a bit biased because it really was Australia where it was huge, it barely cracked the US top 40! Then on the other hand at #92 is one of the highest selling songs of all time, the Scorpions' "Wind Of Change", which was released in the wake of the falling of the Berlin Wall. Lastly because that's all a bit too serious, here's Ylvis making silly songs in a promo for their comedy show which became a bizarre hit single.

Here we might just have some songs that are unlucky in terms of who did & didn't get their votes in. In fact, Lady Gaga's "Telephone" almost looked like scoring no points at all Still it's an unfortunate early elimination. Beyonce continues to get the bad news too as "Bootylicious" also bites the bullet at #89. At #88 we have Aaliyah proving one of those plentiful cases of songs being eligible for this because New Zealand sometimes picks surprising songs at #1. Craig David's solo debut "Fill Me In" went straight in at #1 in the UK, here it's finishing at #87. Lastly we've got Cheryl sans surname with the 3rd of her 5 UK #1 singles, "Call My Name". She's got another one still to come.

And we go back to New Zealand again as Az Yet were able to score a #1 hit with "Hard To Say I'm Sorry", which is of course a Chicago cover made blatantly obvious by the fact that Peter Cetera is credited on the track. Finland's own version of Linkin Park comes through at #84 with "In The Shadows", a song that was much bigger overseas than its modest Australian run would have you think. Then at #83 we have that other Brandy #1 single, which is of course "The Boy Is Mine", making me feel bad because it was one of the last songs I culled from my vote. At #82 is one of those wacky UK chart moments, where a TV special brought light back to the '90s musical career of presenters Ant & Dec, making such a buzz that the song re-entered the charts a decade later at the #1 spot, blocking P!nk's "Just Give Me A Reason" no less, which elicits different opinions. Then at #81 we have Spotify haters Suede who bizarrely picked up one of their only #1 hits anywhere with their 3rd album's lead single "Trash".

But who will prevail like Yasuhiro Hagakure and who will fall like Taeko Yasuhiro? Or alternatively, who is popular like Taeko Yasuhiro and who is unpopular like Yasuhiro Hagakure? Rather than mull over my niche spoilers & wordplay, play this game instead. All I ask of you is to submit a Top 20 to 32 from this to me by 6pm on Friday, after which I'll do what I do. If ACI is a thing you do as well, that's open for business as well.Last edited: 10/05/2017 10:40

Starting things off is one of those random songs that you would think was just a moderately popular triple j hit if you're like me, but actually became a huge smash in Europe. Talking about Emiliana Torrini's oddball single "Jungle Drum". The next song goes without saying, but oddly enough, Editors had not one but two #1 hits in Belgium, the more recognisable one would be their dancier "Papillon". It's tied with a more expected name in this list, with one of Mariah Carey's many US #1 hits "My All". At #77 we have the original version of a song many people may better know as "Tilted", with "Christine" being entirely in French. Then we go back to the '90s with everyone's favourite phone ad, "No Limit" by 2 Unlimited.

One of the first singles to be released in the 21st century, Rui da Silva went straight to #1 in the UK with a dance song that still holds up well in "Touch Me". We then go way back to The Kinks' super popular "Lola", one of at least two songs on this list I'm more familiar with through being used on some variety of comedy show (Futurama in this instance). At #73 is one we should all be familiar with since it was a #1 hit here, Jamelia with "Superstar". Empire Of The Sun continue the bizarrely huge in Europe sweepstakes with "We Are The People", while UK celebrity Cheryl Cole had a pretty much guaranteed #1 with her huge out-the-gate sales for "Fight For This Love".

We go to the late '80s for one of Elton John's last big hits in "Sacrifice" at #70. In the fitting position, we have Nelly Furtado who is no stranger to #1 hits (well apart from in Australia), especially from her "Loose" album, the one being nominated here being "All Good Things (Come To An End)". She's not the only Nelly though as we have pure Nelly (with a bit of Kelly) on "Dilemma" at #67. Sandwiched between these hits is Pitbull's huge US #1 hit "Timber" which seems to be his one enduring song if iTunes catalogue sales are anything to go by. At #66 we have The Beatles' "Strawberry Fields Forever", which packaged with "Penny Lane" is actually famous for not hitting #1 in the UK, but this is The Beatles, so if they released a single, it probably went #1 somewhere.

We're not done with original foreign language versions of familiar songs. At #65 we have the original version of a song you might know as "King and Cross", from Ásgeir's debut album which was so successful in Iceland, it's reported that 1 in 10 people in the country own the album, imagine if "Innocent Eyes" sold twice as much as it did here, and that's what you'd get. At #64 we have the somewhat delayed chart success for Storm Queen's club classic "Look Right Through" which saw success thanks to a slick remix by MK. QLVG favourite Jessica Mauboy is in at #63 with "Burn", which of course it had to be because it's her only eligible song this time around. #62 gives us the original teaming up of Kanye West & Jamie Foxx which netted a US #1 single, not the last time they did that as you might figure. Then for something different, we end things with German rapper Cro and "Traum". He likes wearing panda masks if you didn't know.

But rather than running at least 7 different Nonary Games, it would probably be more efficient to judge them with the basis we already have been doing so. So by all means, submit your Top 15 to 24 selections from this list to me by 6pm on Monday. You can also submit for the ACI, and if you've not remembered that Mother's Day is on Sunday, consider this a public service. Enjoy your weekend.

It's a bit of a special day for QLVG (or tomorrow depending on your time zone preference) as it was this day last year that I came up with the original concept for this game!

#60. Kelis - Milkshake

Round by round: 48-57-60

Points - 56.25Current Voters - 2Top Vote - #20

#59. Capital Cities - Safe & Sound

Round by round: 57-59-59

Points - 68.35Current Voters - 1Top Vote - #17

#58. Beyonce - Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)

Round by round: 62-60-58

Points - 70.1Current Voters - 1Top Vote - #15

#57. Annie Lennox - No More "I Love You"'

Round by round: 52-45-57

Points - 73.95Current Voters - 1Top Vote - #16

#56. Dead Or Alive - You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)

Round by round: 30-41-56

Points - 81Current Voters - 2Top Vote - #6

Quite a variety to start us off. Kelis had one of the biggest hits of 2004 in Australia with "Milkshake" though it was cruelly denied the top spot, Ireland comes to save the day though, and it has a #60 finish. Following that is "Safe and Sound" huge overseas but never getting a proper push here outside of X Factor promo (and some ad it was on years prior which my review can attest to). At #58 is one of Beyonce's biggest hits of her career in "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)", followed by an Annie Lennox song which I first heard through a Nicki Minaj sample but have grown to like quite a bit. Speaking of songs that were sampled in pop hits nearly a decade ago, we've got the Stock Aitken & Waterman breakthrough smash with Dead Or Alive's "You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)".

Giving Alicia Keys a huge hit on her 3rd album is "No One" at #55. At #54 we have Aaliyah's "Try Again" which has an interesting honour in the US as the first song to get to #1 purely on radio airplay, as I don't believe a CD single was available at the time. The Streets brings us the ultimate sad Brit at the pub tune with "Dry Your Eyes", while Iceland exposes its curious tastes once more as we have a track from Sigur Rós at #52. If that's not enough, the '90s expose their curious tastes once more as we have the theme to The X-Files as a hit around the world, landing at #51.

We can never have enough Beyonce in these games, and so back with Destiny's Child it's their first ever US #1 hit with the total jam that is "Bills, Bills, Bills". Then at #49 we've got a Dutch rapper in Mr. Probz who had a worldwide hit in two forms, a slow ballad & an uptempo deep house track, the latter being displayed here. One of the oldest tracks in the game comes from the much beloved '60s smash from Procol Harum "A Whiter Shade Of Pale", while David Guetta & Rihanna add to their collection of hits with "Who's That Chick?" at #47. Lastly we've got a big breakout hit for Jamiroquai with a wonderfully memorable video that was #1 in Italy.

Roy Orbison has no shortage of #1 hits from his first imperial phase, one of the more famous to this day being "Crying" at #45. Then at #44 is a huge breakout hit (in some markets) for Fall Out Boy which adds to the collection of artists getting surprising #1's in New Zealand. Rihanna was loaded with #1 hits in her "Good Girl Gone Bad" era, and here we have the US #1 "Take A Bow" at #43. Meanwhile The Prodigy's "The Fat Of The Land" album was particularly popular in Finland were all the major singles, even "Smack My Bitch Up" hit the #1 spot. Just missing the cut off today is Kraftwerk's "The Model" which is surprisingly not about different types of calculators.

But it's crunch time now as half of the remaining songs will be leaving us on Wednesday. Make sure it's not your favourites by getting your votes in by 6pm on that day, and have those votes consist of your Top 10 to 16 selections.

Kicking us off is a Nelly Furtado song I wouldn't have picked as a #1 hit anywhere, but once again New Zealand pulls through. At #39 is Alannah Myles' US #1 hit dedicated to the king of US #1 hits, Elvis Presley. Queen of my twitter feed, Ariana Grande had a historic #1 hit in the UK with "Problem", the first #1 hit in the era of streaming included in the chart, not that she needed them really. Sam and the Womp present one of those oddities that the UK really got behind and belatedly so did Australia. Meanwhile upon seeing "Master Blaster (Jammin')", if you are not thinking about Chief Wiggum right now, we had different upbringings.

And we're never finished with New Zealand as they gave Gorillaz their only #1 hit with of all songs, "19-2000", though to attest to its popularity at the time, I got the So Fresh CD it was on for my birthday solely off the back of how much I liked that one song at the time. Unlike rivals Oasis, Blur don't have a huge handful of UK #1's, but also unlike Oasis, they're generally top tier selections for that. "Beetlebum" being a strikingly odd #1 but a very good one. Fatboy Slim also has his only credited UK #1 with "Praise You" though he had a hand in plenty more. We then go way back to Chic's disco smash that remains popular, "Le Freak", while the Pet Shop Boys have one of their big hits in "Inner City..." I mean "West End Girls".

I hope you don't think we were done with New Zealand, because they have one of the more peculiar entries as Joy Division scored not one but two #1 hits there a full year after Ian Curtis passed away. The first is as you expect "Love Will Tear Us Apart", but they also did it again with the less pop friendly "Atmosphere". Madness had two popular 'House' related songs eligible for this, in this instance it is the less descriptive "Our House" which resides, having hit #1 in not the UK but in Canada. Dire Straits have one of the most iconic hits of the MTV era with their song about tradies, making for one of the more unexpected US #1 hits of its time. Just before his imperial phase really set into action, Michael Jackson scored a turn of the decade #1 hit with "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough", while one of the most bizarre methods of eligibility come from Rage Against The Machine, whose "Killing In The Name" of course hit #1 in the UK thanks to a grassroots campaign to block the latest X Factor single.

One of the first signs of Adele's global takeover waiting in the wings was in early 2011 when she performed "Someone Like You" at the BRIT Awards and sent it straight to #1, keeping Jessie J at #2 on both UK Charts and even having Lady Gaga's lead off single "Born This Way" end up with only a #3 peak there. Meanwhile, though not quite a top 10 hit in either Australia or the US, Haddaway's "What Is Love" was a global smash that hit #1 in too many countries to name. Stevie Wonder has yet another US #1 hit with his glorious tribute to Duke Ellington "Sir Duke", while Calvin Harris managed to end his streak of UK #2 hits with "Sweet Nothing" finally picking a good week to take the top spot. Lastly we have a huge hit that spent so long at #1 it became Billboard's biggest hit of the 2000s, I'm of course talking about Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together".

They say all's well that ends well, but I'm relying on you to make sure it ends well. In order to do that, you must submit your Top 5 to 8 selections from here and submit it to me by 6pm on Friday, upon which we will see the #1 among #1's.

Starting off with one of the biggest hits of 2006, Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" which spent so long at #1 in the UK, they decided to delete the single so everyone wouldn't get sick of it. It sits alongside unusual company with Radiohead also amongst the oddities of the old defunct Canadian charts with their "Amnesiac" single "Knives Out", doing what Radiohead tend to fail to do and staying in the top 20 at the end.Last edited: 19/05/2017 10:15

I've seen it noted that with 10cc's two big UK #1 hits, there's arguably some of the biggest gap of quality between the two, with "I'm Not In Love" often very highly regarded. We continue in a very UK-centric section with Spiller's "Groovejet", though it was an Australian #1 single, it's a very famous #1 in the UK for winning the highly touted chart battle against Dane Bowers' "Out Of Your Mind".

I'm still waiting for that garbage cover to leave the ARIA Charts, but we have priorities in place with Robyn's "Dancing On My Own" landing up at #16. It's sitting alongside a very different ballad, and one that is very lucky to be here with how it started off here, Foreigner's "I Want To Know What Love Is" which crept up from barely in the top 60 to all the way up at #15.

Another unusual entrant here, with thanks to the A-Trak remix, Yeah Yeah Yeahs were able to score a #1 hit in Belgium with one of their more beloved singles in "Heads Will Roll". On the other hand we have no stranger to the #1 spot in Australia, Delta Goodrem with one of the many choices that were available, "Lost Without You" at #13.

We're going back to the Prodigy, this time not just #1 in Finland but also the UK, with the huge hit "Firestarter" at #12. Destiny's Child take us back to Australia with one of the more peculiar #1 hits in that it actually dropped out of the top 50 initially before re-entering and hitting the top spot. They're also super lucky to be this high because they started the last round in the lowest spot, but survived the round and landed all the way up at #11.

One of the biggest hits of the '90s in the US, Toni Braxton spent 3 whole months at the top spot with her ballad "Un-Break My Heart", which lodges itself nicely within the top 10. It's next to a more recent US #1 hit from Kendrick Lamar, who did the glorious act of knocking off an incredibly not-humble artist from the top.

One of the more bizarre #1 hits around the world, MGMT scraped a #1 hit in Denmark with "Kids", which spent a total of 1 week on the chart there. In a different sense I'm always a little surprised that Faith No More scored a #1 hit in Australia with "Epic".

Snooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooop Dogg & Pharrell had a huge US #1 hit with "Drop It Like It's Hot" which shows extreme popularity here as it climbs all the way up to #6. More of a surprise is the instant popularity of The Naked and Famous in New Zealand, to the point that I only first heard of them by the fact that this song debuted at #1 there, taking some 6-12 months to catch on here.

Depeche Mode released a very good album in 1990 by the name of "Violator", if you know any song from it, it's probably "Enjoy The Silence", another song here which hit the top spot in Denmark, which is all I ever wanted to make it eligible. Then we've got a strong contender from Split Enz, incidentally "I Got You" is the only Finn-related track to ever hit the top spot in Australia, but don't you worry because there's actually still more where that came from.

It'd be nice to set this up with a pretense of suspense, but this is probably the least suspenseful game of this we've ever had, at least from my perspective. In the runner up slot are no strangers to the runner up slot considering ye olde Hottest 100, Of Monsters and Men have their huge breakout hit "Little Talks" as the general #2 sitter. As for the #1 spot, there is no typo here, Crowded House have taken this title by over 100 points, with such domination that there was at least one round where every single submitted vote included it. For its inclusion, you have to thank Canada who took it to the top spot.

That's a wrap! I'll catch you on the other side of the weekend as we take a look into what may be particularly interesting as it'll be a game including only artists who have never appeared in this game before. As for the qualifying, the votes are in, and we'll be voting on top 10 hits on the US Alternative charts. You may be surprised at just how many oddities there are amongst those.

Ah you're right. I'd only briefly glanced at the Wikipedia listing and somehow glossed over that one. Went well for me too, nearly all of the songs I voted for landed in the top 10.Last edited: 19/05/2017 12:24

It's been a little while but we have nul pwa as a nominator has gone missing in action. At the #100 spot we have actress turned singer Keke Palmer with "Wind Up", which in accordance with the laws of pop at present, has the obligatory Quavo feature. Then at #99 we have the political stylings of Michael Franti & Spearhead's "Rock The Nation". Former Collective member William Singe is currently breaking out into the charts via a Jonas Blue track, earlier in the year he released "Rush" which heavily interpolates a certain '90s #1 hit...not the one that the title would have you think. With how tough this list was, I personally couldn't even fit in a vote for a former #1 on my own chart in "Farewell Rocketship", while at #96 we have Cover Drive with "Sparks", the follow up to their UK #1 "Twilight". A random tidbit I learnt is that they have accumulated 5 top 40 hits, and all of them came and went within the space of 1 year.

#95. N*E*R*D - Everyone Nose (All The Girls Standing In The Line For The Bathroom)

Points - 23Current Voters - 2Top Vote - #22

#94. Nothing But Thieves - Wake Up Call

Points - 29Current Voters - 2Top Vote - #23

#93. Unwritten Law - Up All Night

Points - 32Current Voters - 1Top Vote - #9

#92. K.Flay - Blood In The Cut

Points - 33Current Voters - 2Top Vote - #23

There's a vintage subtle cocaine reference in song titling with N*E*R*D's effort at #95. We then go back to a funkier cut from Nothing But Thieves' debut album in "Wake Up Call" while at #93 is a vintage Hottest 100 highlight in Unwritten Law's "Up All Night". Then at #92 we have the breakout hit for the up and coming K. Flay who just recently released her pretty solid debut album.

We have a tie for the #90 position. There's the distinct vocal stylings of Canada's Austra and "Lose It", while there's a nostalgia bomb with Timo Maas's nearly top 50 hit from 2002 "To Get Down". I'm inclined to link it to another song from a similar era, even if you haven't thought about it in over a decade, "Husan" may well give you a huge 'oh that song' moment. As it would turn out, we do have actual "Rush" from Clash side project Big Audio Dynamite II at #89. I also have some of my earliest triple j memories brought back via some top tracks from Ben Kweller & The Beautiful Girls.

A common named artist who you won't have much success appending 'band' to in a Google search is the German-Swiss duo BOY, who have released many delightful tracks including "Little Numbers" at #85. We then go back to the turn of the decade with 2009's "Release Me" from Agnes who has been noted for looking and sounding a lot like Leona Lewis. #83 gives us a song that is infamous for me for being a huge outlier in my first ever hellish Hottest 100 vote count, Modern Baseball's "Your Graduation", but proof there is still a market for modern emo. At #82 is a big breakout hit for The Kite String Tangle, who went from being unheard of to having a top 20 finish in the Hottest 100 thanks to "Given The Chance". Then we go way back for a classic from Bill Withers, "Ain't No Sunshine".

It will take all the hope in the world to persevere in this game, so you must not give in to despair. In order to do this, select a Top 20 to 32 from this list and submit it to me by 6pm on Friday, upon wish I will deliver the punishment to probably 20 more songs.

Always makes me happy when everyone from round 1 gets their votes in again

#80. Wings - Band On The Run

Round by round: 71-80

Points - 46Current Voters - 2Top Vote - #10

#79. End Of Fashion - O Yeah

Round by round: 80-79

Points - 47Current Voters - 2Top Vote - #8

#78. Al Green - Let's Stay Together

Round by round: 79-78

Points - 50Current Voters - 2Top Vote - #4

#77. Sky Ferreira - You're Not The One

Round by round: 78-77

Points - 51Current Voters - 2Top Vote - #4

#76. Frida - I Know There's Something Going On

Round by round: 75-76

Points - 52Current Voters - 2Top Vote - #1

Starting off with a bit of a psychedelic trip as Wings go all over the place in the delightful "Band On The Run" at #80. Appearing for the first of two times is "Where Is My Mind?" at #79, while we stay old school with the soulful stylings of "Let's Stay Together" at #78. Decidedly modern is Sky Ferreira's oft-overlooked alt pop and one of her bigger singles "You're Not The One" at #77. Not to be confused with the Frida who put out a song I liked near the end of last year, is the considerably more famous member of ABBA who lands at #76 with "I Know There's Something Going On".

Though it sounds like an oxymoron, Cypress Hill have a wonderful rap-rock hybrid in "(Rock) Superstar" at #75. We then have a curious European tie for #73, between O-Zone's memetastic "Dragostei din tei", and Sløtface's highly referential "Empire Records". Everyone's favourite pair of Scottish twins, The Proclaimers are in at #72, while CCR have one of their most famous songs that didn't peak at #2 in the US in "Have You Ever Seen The Rain" at #71.

A throwback to an era when New Zealand's chart could have songs (apart from "Options") that weren't charting everywhere else, is The Knocks' "Classic" at #40. This set also exemplifies the slight oddity we had in this game of songs with the same name, with the lesser set bowing out here, FKA twigs' "Two Weeks" at #66, and a song by Starley which I believe according to ARIA does not exist anymore. The Jungle Giants have their recent ACI hit "Feel The Way I Do" at #68, while a personal favourite is My Bloody Valentine's "Sometimes" at #67, a rare moment of peace in a very visceral album.

Good old Richard is up to his usual wacky antics with "Come To Daddy" landing at #65. While at #64 we have the Happy Mondays' only ever #1 hit on the Alternative Charts (hey we have this qualifying game going on) in "Kinky Afro". People of around my age will recognise the vocalist from Gorillaz's "DARE". One of the big hits from Korn's "Follow The Leader" album is "Got The Life" which lands at #63, while we have a rare modern case of a song charting on both the US Pop charts and US Christian charts with Britt Nicole's "Gold" at #62. Lastly, we have the tiger style of the Wu-Tang Clan as they bring the ruckus. I assure you, you should not f**k wit them.

But we have a problem as my cooking robot requires 20 human songs to bake a cake, and the substitute is too high to reach without a jetpack. Please be diligent as you select a Top 15 to 24 from this list by 6pm Monday to decide who gets to proceed. Also the ACI is open. Have a good weekend.

Diversity thy name is QLVG. Starting off at #60 is the wonderful pop stylings of Annie's "Heartbeat" at #60, followed by The Stone Roses' first ever UK hit "She Bangs The Drums". Just this week, One Direction's Niall Horan scored his 2nd top 10 hit with "Slow Hands" (blocking Liam in the process, oops) and lands at #58. Stacie Orrico's sole top 10 hit "Stuck" lands at #57, and TobyMac lands at #56 with "Speak Life", coming from one of the most unlikely Billboard 200 #1 albums of all time.

The Kills scored their only Hottest 100 hit with "Future Starts Slow" (though Alison Mosshart also appeared on Placebo's "Meds"), which lands at #55. Goldfrapp's second ever single, the glorious "Utopia" is in at #54 followed by a solo outing for Jebediah's Kevin Mitchell under the name Bob Evans. A bizarre Australian top 50 single that I wonder if anyone would remember if it hadn't quite done it, is "Alive" by Hillsong Young & Free at #52, while I am continue to await the potential pop crossover for Grace Mitchell's "Now".

I actually thought Aloe Blacc was cheating the system by not being credited on Avicii's "Wake Me Up" but it turns out that never appeared in this game anyway. The much better "I Need A Dollar" kicks off the top half at #50. The Getaway Plan have their minor crossover success story in "When The City Meets The Sea" creep up to the top half at #49. We stay in the 2000s with Moloko at #48 and Spoon at #47, while we finish with a slow burning Alt hit (hey there's a qualifying game going on) with Atlas Genius's "Trojans", a peculiar case of an Australian band getting more success overseas.

I had a bit of a flashback hearing The Doobie Brothers' "What A Fool Believes" at #45. Then at #44 is a song I peculiarly heard at Coles the other day, Sneaker Pimps' "6 Underground". Though only a few years ago, Oliver Heldens' "Gecko (Overdrive)" feels like a UK #1 hit from a bygone era, but one of the best from that era. I'm working my way into maybe finally getting into "Screamadelica", as "Loaded" holds up better than I recalled before, and also lands at #42. We then shout out to the top 20 ARIA peak kings & queen with Sneaky Sound System and their biggest hit "UFO" at #41.

We get particularly nostalgic with this opening set. Be prepared for some erratic runs too, starting with a big hit from Culture Club, "Karma Chameleon", starting at #10 and ending at #40. Hoodoo Gurus have a big radio favourite "What's My Scene" at #39. Go West's "The King Of Wishful Thinking" shares a similar trait though perhaps it's not as apparent from the title alone. The '80s get a break as we go back to the '70s for a punk classic from the Buzzcocks at #37, while Duran Duran have one of their last big hits with 1993's "Come Undone" at #36.

Everyone's favourite ironic band name, The The come in at #35 with their hugely popular "Uncertain Smile" that landed at #3 in the original Hottest 100 poll. Aretha Franklin has a touch of misfortune losing several votes and falling from #6 to #34. Cher's "Believe" lands at #33, 17 places higher than the DMA's cover did earlier this year. A considerably older song from a not much older singer, Dusty Springfield has "Son Of A Preacher Man" at #32, while we finally get to the 2000s for the first time today, with the Madlib & MF DOOM collaboration "All Caps", which makes it very clear how you should always type out MF DOOM's name.

We now stay in that decidedly modern era for a bit longer, with AFI's big crossover hit "Miss Murder". Then we have what is also arguably British India's biggest hit (considering the fact it was certified gold) "I Can Make You Love Me" at #39. Not much of a hit in its time, but Ladytron's "Destroy Everything You Touch" remains popular in some circles, finishing here at its highest position of #28. Alexisonfire's Dallas Green has a very popular side project in City and Colour (the name is a clever pun if you've never noticed), even netting a Hottest 100 hit in "Fragile Bird" which lands at #27. Lastly we go back a bit further with Sonic Youth's iconic "Kool Thing" at #26.

We go back to big radio favourites, with Toploader's "Dancing In The Moonlight" at #25 and Eric Prydz's "Call On Me" at #24, the latter which has been misspelt on my spreadsheet until today for some reason. There's one last '80s cut for the day with The Police's stalker anthem "Every Breath You Take" at #23. Things then get slightly more respectful with Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's eulogy song turned Billboard #1 hit "Tha Crossroads" at #22, and then slightly less respectful for Primus's wacky antics in "Wynona's Big Brown Beaver" at #21.

Rather than performing the entire score of the HMS Pinafore, maybe we'll stick to the usual affair of counting down the top 20 songs. In order to do that, I'll need you to select your Top 5 to 8 from this lot and submit it to me by 6pm on Friday. Also remember to vote for a new qualifying game here http://www.strawpoll.me/13065049 and maybe even vote in the current one, there aren't many slots left.

For those wondering, the Billboard chart has been late this week so the ACI won't be up until late tonight.

Starting off today we have Five's classic M People/Primal Scream remake "Keep On Movin'" at #20. Then there's our one repeat artist in the top 20, with Bat For Lashes' earlier single "Daniel" falling first at #19.

We get some more sonic dissonance with the latest pairing, as Basement Jaxx take their upbeat party track "Good Luck" to #18, while they're followed by the higher of two "Two Weeks"s with Grizzly Bear's wonderful track at #17.

After a bunch of 2000s entries, we now go way back to the 1960s with perhaps Bob Dylan's most famous recording "Like A Rolling Stone", while the same can perhaps be said of the Eurythmics despite the fact that they reached #1 in Australia with a different track. "Sweet Dreams" remains ever popular though and lands at #15.

For fans of either '90s rock or Roald Dahl novels, we've got Veruca Salt with their viciously titled & sounding "Seether" at #14. Then things take a more chill turn though with perhaps more deadly stakes, with The Specials' "Ghost Town" which famously reached the top spot in the UK around the same time as there were numerous riots happening in various towns.

Though no longer with us, Etta James' "At Last" continues to live on, in fact it never charted in Australia until after she passed away. Here it takes a decent last round leap to land at #12, joining it alongside a less fortunate track. Paul Simon's track "You Can Call Me Al" which I swear somewhat inspired Selena Gomez's new song got all the way to #3 last round, but crashes down to #11 partly because it fell out of my vote D:

Starting off the top 10 is one of Cyndi Lauper's most enduring singles to this day, whether it takes that title could be subject for debate, as "True Colors" makes a tough fight. Following it is the newest song in this top 20, with Car Seat Headrest's "Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales" from last year at #9.

And there was just one other track from the 2010s in here and it comes up right after the other one. Bat For Lashes' biggest hit "Laura" landing at #8. Intriguingly, it was actually behind "Daniel" during the last round. If these recent tracks have been getting too emotional for you, we get some sheer whiplash at the hands of Electric Six's ridiculous "Danger! High Voltage" at #7.

Appearing for the 2nd time in this game, the Pixies take "Where Is My Mind?" to lofty heights at #6, spending the entire time in the top 10. Same can be said of the next song, with Enya's new age pop crossover smash "Orinoco Flow" saving many whales by landing at #5.

A 2000s favourite "Such Great Heights" takes slight advantage of the rules considering that Ben Gibbard has previously appeared in this game with Death Cab For Cutie. Nonetheless, it's a big success for The Postal Service landing at #4. Following them, it's kind of a surprise that Blondie have never appeared in this game before, but they make a huge first impression with the classic "Call Me" at #3.

I could be wrong, but I think this is the first time that the winner has been decided by the previous round's points. By quite a way it must be said, due to The Dandy Warhols starting this round outside the top 10. Nonetheless, they're the highest scorer of this round and rocket up to #2 with "Bohemian Like You". They just can't topple what has been the dominant track for the entire game. In fact for a couple rounds, I was the only person who couldn't find space to fit "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" into my vote. So it's congratulations to Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, whose 1967 single is by far the oldest song to take the title in QLVG.

Here we are with our first genre specific game as we look at top 10 hits on the US Alternative Songs chart. If this isn't to your liking, fret not as the next game should considerably mix things up again, nominations for that begin tomorrow.

To start off here, we have an unlucky last place finisher in more than one way, Robert DeLong having a surprise hit a couple years after "Global Concepts". This is his only song in here, but the rest of these artists here have higher finishers to come. R.E.M. have an iconic song from this chart, as "What's The Frequency, Kenneth?" is the first of just 3 songs to ever debut at #1 on the chart. Long after their first big hit, The Sundays even had some ARIA crossover success with "Summertime" that lands at #98. A favourite of some terrible blog comes in at #97 from Paramore, while Queens Of The Stone Age have the first of their two here with "Little Sister" at #96.

Death Cab For Cutie had a #1 album with "Narrow Stairs" in 2008 (speaking of which there's a similar game going on somewhere), a key highlight there being "Cath..." which lands at #95. We then get some more recent tracks with one of Fall Out Boy's most recent hits "Centuries" at #93, tied with another song from the same time period, Imagine Dragons' 2nd album lead single "I Bet My Life". Actually Imagine Dragons aren't done there, as their perpetual charter "Radioactive" follows up at #92. We then go back to 1993 so we can "Feed The Tree" with Belly.

Back for a second innings is Paramore's "Ignorance", which of course would be eligible for the current nominations game if it weren't in this one. Silversun Pickups had one of the more surprising #1 hits on the Alternative Songs chart with "Panic Switch" in 2009, the lead single from the next album, "Bloody Mary" also proved a hit, and lands here at #89. Speaking of #1 hits, Cage The Elephant are a band who just can't stop picking them up, to the point that "Shake Me Down" is now considered one of their older #1 hits, which is just jarring to me. We then end with some classic Hottest 100 hits, with Urge Overkill at #87, and Porno For Pyros at #86.

Despite being one of the most popular alternative bands of modern times, Vampire Weekend amazingly have only once hit the top 10 on the format (if you think that's ridiculous though, LCD Soundsystem just hit the top 50 for the first time this week!), with "Unbelievers" from their 3rd album. One of the slowest climbers to the top spot was Neon Trees' "Animal" which lands at #84, while we finish things off with some older hits, Rancid's super catchy crossover with "Time Bomb", Bush with perhaps their most popular song that isn't on "Sixteen Stone" in "Swallowed", and lastly a late '80s hit for Tears For Fears with the 6 minute epic "Sowing The Seeds Of Love".

But which songs are going to give it away, and which will stay together for the kids? It's all up to you, if you can select your Top 20 to 32 from this lot, and submit to me by 6pm on Friday. The ACI is also up and running if that's a thing you do.

It's a pretty '90s heavy start to this results set. We've got arguably Filter's 2nd biggest hit in "Hey Man, Nice Shot", which a podcast I listen to once used as its opening theme and as such, sounds odd to listen back to now. We then briefly go to the 2000s with an iconic hit on the Alternative Songs chart, as peculiarly, Rise Against's "Savior" is the longest chart running song in the chart's history, spending well over a year in the top 10. My knowledge of the band L7 once got me retweeted by a boat on Twitter, here they are with "Pretend I'm Dead" at #78. Soundgarden have the first of their two entries here with "Pretty Noose" at #77, while the ever photogenic Matthew Sweet lands at #76 with "Girlfriend", which I must say is quite better than his Hottest 100 entry.

First off here is one of Garbage's last big hits, with 2005's "Why Do You Love Me". It's followed by what may as well be Tool's last, as they're still yet to release an album since 2006, though it appears they're getting close to new music. Recently bereft of their longest charting song on the UK chart record, Snow Patrol land at #73 with "Chasing Cars". An odd moment of crossover success for Pavement comes with "Cut Your Hair" at #72, while WALK THE MOON come pre-crossover fame with "Anna Sun" at #71.

Oddly pertinent, as Oasis land at #70 with one of the tracks performed at the Manchester One Love concert, "Live Forever", something that also applies to their other, yet to appear entry. Depeche Mode get fitting rights to reach out and touch me with "Personal Jesus" at #69, while Cornell has an appearance in his other band Audioslave at #68. I've found the reason that Hoobastank have landed at #67, and the reason is you, while Matisyahu has a surprising hit with "King Without A Crown" at #66.

An unlucky loss of votes befalls The Breeders, and "Cannonball" lands at #65. Staying in 1993, we have the Pet Shop Boys with a quality hit in "Can You Forgive Her?" at #64. Then there's a tie at #62, with the brief non ! period of Panic which netted them their only #1 album (hey, qualifying game), and a hit in "Nine In The Afternoon", sitting next to Reel Big Fish's satirical "Sell Out". Lastly, we have one of Lorde's contributions to the Hunger Games franchise, with "Yellow Flicker Beat" at the unlucky #61 slot.

If you're not instantly repulsed by my bad puns, you can continue to participate here, or maybe even participate for the first time! All I ask of you this time is to select your Top 15 to 24 here and submit them to me by 6pm on Monday, enjoy your weekend.

Kicking things off is a recent hit for Death Cab For Cutie, the lead single to their most recent album, "Black Sun". We then go as far back as this chart can possibly go, as Siouxsie and the Banshees' "Peek-A-Boo" is in fact the very first #1 on the chart, coming close to 30 years ago now. Then at #58 is Hoodoo Gurus' "Miss Freelove 69" which is oddly absent on Spotify but karaoke versions exist(!). PJ Harvey has a rare semi-crossover hit with "Down By The Water" at #57, while more regular hitmaker Alanis Morissette takes "You Learn" to #56.

At #55 we have DNA's remix of "Tom's Diner", which is not the first time a related song has appeared, as Fall Out Boy's earlier appearing "Centuries" interpolated that famous set of 'do's as well. At #54 is a turn of the century hit for Stone Temple Pilots with "Sour Girl", while we have the lead single to R.E.M.'s most popular album "Automatic For The People" at #53, "Drive". A band that can always use a bit more attention and love is XTC, here they have "The Ballad Of Peter Pumpkinhead" at #52, while lastly, we wish to be woken up inside if not for the fact that we can't wake up, save me, Evanescence are in at #51.

An odd band to have a big crossover hit would be Butthole Surfers, or so I'm told, I haven't looked deep into their catalogue yet. "Pepper" has all the makings of a hit while being super odd at the same time, landing at #50. At #49 we have the peculiarly named Swede Eagle-Eye Cherry, yes, that is indeed his real name and he is actually related to Neneh Cherry. Surprisingly popular in the early years of this format are Australia's own Midnight Oil, with all manner of political songs that don't remotely translate to the US market, but they could write a hook, so "Forgotten Years" lands at #48. We actually stay in Australia as Frente! oddly enough had international success with their New Order cover, and we finish with a pretty new band in Nothing But Thieves with their biggest hit "Trip Switch". I'd like to imagine that their new single "Amsterdam" could be a hit, but it seems the format would rather play The Chainsmokers.

Björk has of course had success on the format both as a solo artist and with The Sugarcubes. She's here at #45 with one of her first big solo hits, "Human Behaviour". We then see another modern band with Wolf Alice at #44, who had an unlikely hit with "Moaning Lisa Smile" about a year after its initial release. They're premiering their new single tonight/tomorrow morning and I'm looking forward to that. We they go back to the '90s with one of the more odd hits in Weezer's catalogue, "Undone - The Sweater Song", followed by Red Hot Chili Peppers being super chill on "Soul To Squeeze" at #42. Finally, I think of it as more of a pop hit since it was an ARIA #1 hit, but Fine Young Cannibals found their place on the format in the '80s with "She Drives Me Crazy", which takes the unlucky #41 slot.

Staying at the starting line this round is Cake's "The Distance". We then have the 2nd single from alt-J's 2nd album which may or may not have just been written to appease their record label (which to its credit, became their biggest hit on the format). For the rest of this set, we go back to the '90s, as Fastball's song that hasn't been ruined by a white rapper yet, "The Way" lands at #38, followed by the big breakout hit for Screaming Trees, "Nearly Lost You", as well as Seal's first big solo hit "Crazy".

One of my favourite songs of 2009, both now and when it came out is Manchester Orchestra's "I've Got Friends" which lands at #35. We then have one of those big pop hits that are so dominant that they wind up on the alternative stations as well, Daft Punk's "Get Lucky". The Sundays have a #1 hit on this format with their 2nd entry in this list, "Here's Where The Story Ends", while we go to the wonderful world of Odelay with Beck's "Where It's At" at #32. Lastly is one of Oasis's rare Noel-led tracks, "Don't Look Back In Anger", which is actually currently in the UK top 40 following its performance at the Manchester relief concert, which ironically Noel did not attend.

We now go to the 2nd single from Automatic For The People, with R.E.M. getting a final slot with "Man On The Moon" at #30. Another huge alt/pop crossover hit came from fun. whose "Some Nights" spent quite a while in the upper rungs of the chart. Then at #28 is the biggest radio hit from Radiohead's 7th album, "Bodysnatchers". Jimmy Eat World also had a big hit with their oft-overlooked "Pain" at #27, while Cocteau Twins have a much more elegant time with "Heaven Or Las Vegas" at #26.

Nearly halving their last position, Midnight Oil are back again at #25 with "Blue Sky Mine". Then at #24 is the 2nd biggest hit from The White Stripes' Elephant album with its iconic video in "The Hardest Button To Button". Counting Crows have a heartwrenching ballad "Round Here" at #23, while at #22 is the lead single for Florence + The Machine's 3rd album, "What Kind Of Man". In the unlucky slot is something of a lucky song to even be here, as Phantogram's "Fall In Love" sticks out a bit on US Alt playlists.

Make a mark on how it turns out, by selecting your Top 5 to 8 from this lot and submitting it to me by 6pm Friday. The ACI is ready to take your votes, as is this voting thread http://www.strawpoll.me/13167861 and by all means help participate in popmusicity's Survivor thread.

Shout out to anyone who played Tony Hawk Pro Skater back in the day, which was absolutely elevated by the inclusion of a heavily edited version of "Guerrilla Radio", which ends up where it started at #20. We then go to the other end of the '90s with Concrete Blonde's monster ballad "Joey" which was pretty much only a big hit in Australia.

Once again we've got a group of songs separated by nearly a full decade, starting with the title track to System Of A Down's most successful album "Toxicity" and followed by the first of two tracks from The Cure, "Friday, I'm In Love" being arguably their most popular song from the '90s despite its late single release having it only just scrape the top 40 here.

Though it was only with their 5th album that Muse truly found a stranglehold on the Alt format, they were still picking up hits back with their 3rd album (though the 2nd to be released in the US because disputes over falsetto vocals caused "Origin Of Symmetry" to get released about 4 years later there #themoreyouknow), most notably #16 finisher "Time Is Running Out". And The Cure are back at it again, this time with a cut from their most beloved album "Disintegration". "Lovesong" was of course covered by Adele which means Robert Smith has a writing credit on the highest selling album of the 21st century.

For a change, here are two songs of roughly similar release dates. At #14 is one of the biggest hits from Portishead's "Dummy" album, the ever alluring "Sour Times", while on the other side of the fence is perhaps Pearl Jam's most enduring radio hit "Better Man" at #13.

As was the style at the time, The Smashing Pumpkins crank up the bombast to 11 on "Tonight, Tonight" which lands them a #12 finish here. While falling short of the top 10 by less than half of a point is No Doubt's ever enduring ballad "Don't Speak".

A timely batch here, as opening up the top 10 is Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun", fresh from re-entering the ARIA top 50 following Chris Cornell's passing last month. Queens Of The Stone Age also show up with one of the bigger hits from their "Songs From The Deaf" album, which comes on time with them releasing a cracker of a new single today.

Practically defining alternative is the oddball of a tune "Birdhouse In Your Soul" from They Might Be Giants landing at the #8 slot. On the other hand it sits next to a huge pop crossover smash from Gorillaz, the inescapable 2005 hit "Feel Good Inc.", whose popularity is such that I'm pretty sure it's sold more than any single from the new Gorillaz album has this year.

An almost unbelievable fact is that EMF had a huge breakout Madchester hit that hit #1 not in the UK, but in the US. The utter riot that "Unbelievable" is, is always a popular choice and lands here at #6. On the other hand, its partner here "Your Woman" was a UK #1 hit, and all was good with the world.

Despite their humble beginnings getting airplay on triple j and not quite cracking the Hottest 100 at the time, a year later "Sweet Disposition" landed some handy soundtrack deals and was suddenly everywhere. Sitting next to them about 20 years removed is the Pixies, who not only repeat their top 10 finish from the last game, but halve the #6 finish of "Where Is My Mind?" to land at #3 with "Monkey Gone To Heaven".

We seem to be getting a recurring trend of late with the top spots in the list being decided pretty much from the outset and not changing. This time around we had a top 2 locked in the entire way, although it was very nearly challenged as the Pixies came very close this round. Alas, it's top 2 glory for Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the always delightful "Maps". Taking the crown of course, is pretty much a defining song for the format, with the biggest song of Foo Fighters' career, and for many, music in general. "Everlong" struck an early lead here and saw no challenge at any point.

That's all wrapped up for another fortnight, but as usual, there's more waiting in the wings. Next round we'll be looking at non-top 20 hits from Australian #1 albums, while on the qualifying stands we had another tie, so starting on Tuesday we'll be looking at song titles with animals in them, and afterwards, songs released by artists over the age of 40. Have a good weekend and I'll see you there.

Provided that you weren't demoned away following last night's Watanagashi, participating in this game is as easy as pie. Just select your Top 25 to 40 from this lot and submit it to me by 6pm on Wednesday. Also get ready with your thinking caps as tomorrow we'll start looking at songs with animals in the title.

With no shortage of #1 albums on their belt, Hilltop Hoods are right at home in this game, though they take the #100 slot with their lyrical storytelling in 2006's "Stopping All Stations". A similar regular at the top of the album chart is Taylor Swift, and she appears here not once but twice, with relatively more recent cuts of her NOW STREAMABLE ON SPOTIFY catalogue, "New Romantics" from 2014, and "All Too Well" from 2012. In the middle of this we have Drake, who with difficult competition, has only once topped the album chart, unfortunately with "Views" of all things. Nonetheless, "Controlla" sees fit as a rather popular cut that never got too high on the singles chart, hopefully Taylor Swift pairings aren't a ting he'd be distraut about splitting. Lastly, we've got Paramore's "Now" from their self-titled album which was their 2nd to go to #1.

Michael Jackson is of course no stranger to the upper reaches of the charts, but most of his classic hits are safely entrenched in ineligibility. However, his "Bad" era wasn't quite the chart showstopper as it was in the US, staggeringly "Dirty Diana" didn't reach the top 20, and "Bad" didn't even hit the top spot. It's only due to its inclusion on one of his many compilations that it can enter here. Justin Timberlake had two big hits from his 2013 album, but afterwards the hits dried up, though there were still some solid cuts to be had, namely #94's "Tunnel Vision". Flume will be showing up here twice, once from each of his albums, with his #93 placing being an instrumental cut from the latter. In keeping with artists who can't keep away from the top spot on most days, Pearl Jam have "Animal" at #92, while to finish off this lot is one of the many big singles from Moby's monster "Play" album, "Run On".

Suffice to say we have a bit of poetic injustice for one of Janet Jackson's finest in "Any Time, Any Place". Following it we go back to the era when Pete Murray was selling albums like crazy, "Lines" even cracking the Hottest 100 for him at the time. Next is Ariana Grande who has done well to score two #1 albums, and "Best Mistake" has often been a popular cut on the former, nearly cracking the ACI top 10 without even being a proper single. Fleetwood Mac have the first of their two entries here with one of their biggest radio hits "Don't Stop", while The Weeknd takes us on his wild ride with 2016's "False Alarm".

Utilising a decade and a half of hype, The Avalanches managed to reach the very top of the album chart last year with their ever-eccentric 2nd album. Sitting at #85 is the rather unique stylings of "The Wozard Of Iz". Next up we have Bring Me The Horizon, who thanks to a series of lucky coincidences are with no shortage of selections in this game, whether you prefer their mainstream rock stylings or their melodic deathcore phase. They sit tied with another Michael Jackson song, his somewhat underrated but excellent "Will You Be There". Lastly we have some turn of the century favourites with post-peak cuts from Korn & The Whitlams.

Stake your claim! Who shall fall short and who shall persist. You merely need to submit your Top 20 to 32 from this lot to me by 6pm Friday to be a part of it. The ACI is also ready to take your votes if you wish.

Hermitude managed a big hit album in 2015, no doubt thanks to its opening track. Here is the lead single "Through The Roof" at #80. We then have Gorillaz's sole #1 album "Plastic Beach", filled with many wonderful and diverse tracks, and no top 20 singles. Here we have one of the last musical contributions of Lou Reed in "Some Kind Of Nature". Then at #77 is a tie between arguably the biggest Christian hit of this decade, Hillsong's "Oceans" which only recently left the Hot Christian Songs chart, and the first song to ever appear twice in an annual Hottest 100, Live's "I Alone". We then have one of the most memorable tracks of Robbie Williams' career, but one of the lowest charting, "Let Me Entertain You".

One of the biggest selling albums ever in Australia, "Brothers In Arms" has its title track in at #75. We then have arguably the commercial peak for the Beastie Boys with their "Hello Nasty" album, with one of the two biggest singles, "Body Movin'". Muse have 3 #1 albums, two of which feature here, firstly we have their most recent album, and the super heavy oddball of "Drones" in "Reapers" at #73. Arctic Monkeys on the other hand have 3 entries from just 2 #1 albums. Similarly they have their most recent album "AM" in the way of "No. 1 Party Anthem". Lastly we have an earlier hit from Eminem in "Guilty Conscience", which is here via its inclusion on his super successful "Curtain Call" compilation.

Another regular to the top of the charts is Jack Johnson, in here at #70 with "Sitting, Waiting, Wishing". Similarly, every Foo Fighters album this century has reached the top spot (and the Hottest 100), so we step right in the middle of that set with 2007's "Long Road To Ruin". On the other hand, it was a bit of a surprise in 2015 when Deftones scored a #1 album, with "Prayers/Triangles" being a key highlight on their "Gore" album. Elton John has the first of his two entries here with "The Bitch Is Back", while The Weeknd is back again with a 2nd track from "Starboy", "Secrets" at #66.

Having an extensive chart run in Australia despite a relatively 'low' peak is Adele's "Water Under The Bridge", landing at #65. Gotye naturally had quite a bit of success with his 3rd album, one of the few that were able to dethrone...well Adele at the height of her popularity, at #64 is his very George Michael-esque "In Your Light". We then have the first of two tracks from #1 regulars Powderfinger, with one of their rockier cuts in "Like A Dog". Coldplay similarly only very rarely miss the top spot, and had I think their most successful album with "A Rush Of Blood To The Head", the title track of which lands at #62. Lastly, The Strokes have had just the one time at #1 here, with their semi-comeback album "Angles", and the fast paced lead off single "Under Cover Of Darkness" is in at #61.

Should you wish to interfere with the state of affairs and possibly shuffle around those round by round numbers a bit, you'll need to select your Top 15 to 24 from this batch of songs, and submit them to my inbox by 6pm on Monday. ACI can take your votes also, have a good weekend.

Starting off as big as we can get, at least based on the fact that Spotify credits God as a featured artist on Kanye West's "I Am A God", from his "Yeezus" album which was initially entered at #2 until a clerical error amended it to give him his only #1 album. Red Hot Chili Peppers on the other hand, have had plenty of #1 albums, perhaps most notably the first one "Blood Sugar Sex Magik", which features #59's "Breaking The Girl". Flume is back here with his first album and the more reserved single "Insane" at #58. The rest of our entrants are back for a 2nd time, Hilltop Hoods have a cut from their 2012 album with "Rattling The Keys To The Kingdom", while Muse's first ever #1 album featured the very indebted to Keane's "Everybody's Changing", "Invincible".

Some bands only hit the top spot in the later, less exciting part of their career, but for You Am I, they were at the peak of their popularity nearly right from the very beginning, and given their lack of top 20 singles, are primed for this game, landing at #55 with "Cathy's Clown". Silverchair on the other hand have the easy route since every single album they released hit #1, the last of which was 2007's "Young Modern", with its second single "Reflections Of A Sound" not getting a full release and never ended up charting. Green Day are then in at #53 with "Jesus Of Suburbia", which given that it's 9 minutes long, is a wonder it was even a moderate hit at all. Daft Punk came back in a big way in 2013 but only one song from the album ever made the ARIA Chart, despite many favourites, two of which appear here, starting with #52's "Instant Crush". Lastly we have more of the sheer bloat that is "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness", with one of The Smashing Pumpkins' many number based songs, "Zero" at #51.

Yet another song in this list which featured twice in the Hottest 100, and I believe this was the last song to ever do so, Jamiroquai's "You Give Me Something" at #50. We then enter the world of the very divisive Tool, at perhaps the peak of their popularity with 2001's "Lateralus", with the biggest single on that album "Schism" at #49. But this isn't just a world where only rock bands get to #1, as Anastacia's 2004 self-titled comeback album did just that, in addition to giving her another huge hit. "Welcome To My Truth" however was a 1 week in and out track, that shows popularity here landing at #48. Similarly, we go to Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream" album which had no shortage of huge hits, with the only single that didn't really take off here being "The One That Got Away" at #47, lastly we have Soundgarden back here, this time not with "Superunknown", but the next album "Down On The Upside", with the track "Burden In My Hand" at #46.

I personally love mentioning the fact that in the time between "Brother" being a hit, and Matt Corby releasing an album, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard released about 6 albums. Because he sure kept people waiting, the campaign not starting until the release of 2015's "Monday". Foster The People are a band who struck some luck well after the release of their music in 2012, when on different weeks, they managed to nab both a #1 single, and a #1 album. #44's "Houdini" arguably the most popular track on it that didn't trouble the singles chart. RÜFÜS meanwhile are keeping a good record for themselves, being 2 for 2 with #1 albums, which is fair play given both albums are stacked with hits. "Tonight" represents them at #43. Until recently, The Cat Empire had just once hit the top spot, with the album "Two Shoes" getting represented by its title track and my personal favourite at #42, while in a manner similar to Foster The People, Avicii's debut album managed to find a free week to prop up the top spot in the year following its release, "Lay Me Down" was one of the later singles that briefly poked into the top 50.

But perhaps renovation will need to take place 2 days from now, requiring half of these participants to go out in the cold. It'd be a shame if it happened to your favourite now, so it is imperative that you submit your Top 10 to 16 selections to me by 6pm on Wednesday to decrease the odds of that happening. Pleasant days.

David Bowie has been notorious in the past for how often he peaks at #2 on the albums and singles charts, only reaching the top very occasionally. The most recent case of course being "Blackstar". From that album, "Lazarus" has a bit of an unfortunate decline to the bottom of the list at #40. Silverchair are back again with their 4th album "Diorama", and its opening track. The John Butler Trio had their biggest success with their "Grand National" album with many big singles. "Used To Get High". Getting a resurgence in relevance of late thanks to its inclusion in the latest Guardians Of The Galaxy is Electric Light Orchestra's "Mr. Blue Sky". The most recent #1 album is Lorde's "Melodrama", but from her first album is "White Teeth Teens" at #36.

61 spots higher than their last appearance, Paramore are back with "Ain't It Fun" at #35. Reaching the #1 spot just once was Garbage with their "Beautifulgarbage" album, "Androgyny" landing here at #34. I have a bit of personal significance with Cut Copy's entry here, because the fact that Cut Copy scored a #1 album was part of what brought me to this site to look at the charts. At #32 is the power of The 1975's very enthusiastic fanbase who scored them a #1 album despite limited radio support. Arctic Monkeys now have their 2nd entry with "Mardy Bum" at #31.

Queens Of The Stone Age got their long awaited #1 album in 2013 with their latest album "...Like Clockwork", which appears twice in this list, firstly with "I Sat By The Ocean" at #30. We then go to arguably Elton John's most popular album "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road", with one of his most rock-driven tracks "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting" at #29. Because Powderfinger didn't have enough #1 albums, Bernard Fanning got a couple on his own, and "Songbird" remains a popular track landing at #28. We then go back to the early '80s with one of Bruce Springsteen's first big albums, "The River", and the song "Hungry Heart" at #27. Lastly we have another band getting their first #1 with their latest, Daft Punk back again with their second entry "Doin' It Right".

System Of A Down scored their only #1 album with the first of their two 2005 albums "Mezmerize", with "Revenga" here at #25 and another track later on. Utilising a lack of exclamation mark, Panic At The Disco got their only #1 album with their second album "Pretty. Odd" which I'm often told is quite underrated, though I've not heard anything other than the two singles, "That Green Gentleman" lands here at #24. Arctic Monkeys have their last entry here with "When The Sun Goes Down" at #23. A dedicated fanbase has helped Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds start scoring #1's with rather sombre albums, "Jubilee Street" coming from the first of those. Lastly we have an appropriate finish, as the band I spent much time mocking for lack of #1 albums (with love), have a technicality of their own with inclusion on the "Romeo + Juliet" soundtrack with one of their b-sides "Talk Show Host", landing in the unlucky #21 spot.

Florence + The Machine may not have set the singles chart alight with their 3rd album, but it was still undeniably a big one, landing in the ARIA EOY top 10. Featured from it we have "Ship To Wreck", which lasted the entire time in the top 20 and now has been unfortunate to run out of voters this round. Sitting next is Crowded House, another band with a big greatest hits and plenty of well known songs that didn't quite hit the big chart spots. "Four Seasons In One Day" lands at #19 here.

We now hit the odd part of the dancefloor with this next set. The Chemical Brothers scored their sole #1 album in 2002, understandably so given Australia's preference towards songs titled "Hoops", but it also featured a near-instrumental jam in "Star Guitar" landing at #18. We get even more atmospheric with Moby, and perhaps the most enduring hit off his "Play" album, "Porcelain" at #17.

For the first of two times tonight, we have Lana Del Rey here, with the lead single to her second album in "West Coast". Lana Del Rey is of course perfect for this game given her persistence in hitting #1 on the album chart but not having big hit singles very often. Then we also have #1 favourites INXS, who are more friendly to the singles top 20, but they of course have their fair share of beloved tracks that never got there. "By Your Side" being an obvious one that lands at #15.

In 2013, it was Of Monsters and Men's turn to get boosted to the top of the album chart following their success in the Hottest 100. Unlike in most countries, they actually managed a second popular hit, with "Mountain Sound" achieving platinum sales despite not hitting the top 20. We then return to System Of A Down's "Mezmerize", and certainly the biggest hit on it with "B.Y.O.B." at #13.

Another song in this list with a big boost in relevance thanks to Guardians Of The Galaxy, we go to Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain" at #12. Interesting fact for those who didn't know, "Tusk" is actually Fleetwood Mac's only top 10 single in Australia. Next up we have Maroon 5 at #11, a band who are eternally unlucky with regards to hitting the top spot. Despite continued success for many years to follow, they've still not managed to sit atop the Australian charts since "She Will Be Loved" and "Songs About Jane" did so in 2004. Representing them here is thus one of their biggest eligible singles in "Sunday Morning".

We enter the top half with the tail end of things for some bands. For Powderfinger's case, this is perhaps the opposite of the "Tail" end of their career, but "Burn Your Name" did come from their final album, and proved quite a long chart runner that barely cracked the top 50. The metaphor becomes more apt for Queens Of The Stone Age even though they do have another album coming out this year. Nonetheless, they continue to make strong impressions lately in this game with "If I Had A Tail" landing at #9.

A favourite in this game despite only appearing once prior, we have Dido's favourite for people watching TV commercials in certain eastern states, "Here With Me" at #8. Speaking of huge singles that didn't get a top 50 placing here for one reason or another, we've got Avril Lavigne's "I'm With You" from her debut album, which would only see hit status about a decade later with Rihanna sampling it.

Among those fun inclusions in this game is Neneh Cherry's "Buffalo Stance", which reached #1 on the album chart via its inclusion in a hits compilation. It sits very closely behind Kendrick Lamar, who scored as of yet his only #1 album in Australia with perhaps his least commercially viable album "To Pimp A Butterfly". Though there were no top 20 singles on the album, "Alright" has proven an enduring rally call protest anthem, and lands here at #5.

The Smiths' inclusion in this game means that you have to thank Adam Sandler, as "How Soon Is Now?" was featured on the popular "Wedding Singer" soundtrack. It is of course an enduring favourite despite never being a hit single in its time, possibly because it's 7 minutes long. Perhaps more surprising in that distinction is The Killers' "Mr. Brightside", which was only a moderate hit in its time but even in this era of streaming, remains a chart tyrant that until the new OCC rules come into effect, has a habit of charting week in, week out in the UK for no particular reason, to the point that it is now the longest charting song in the UK top 100 ever.

Whether or not you agree with the order, there should be some satisfied with this, as in round 1, every single person voted for "Let It Happen", the immense lead off track to Tame Impala's 3rd album, and first #1 "Currents". It slightly improves its #3 finish the first time it was represented in this game, a whole year ago. But sitting ahead of it is the song that appeared in every vote I received for this round, Lana Del Rey's "Video Games". I've often thought of Lana Del Rey's chart success as appearing super strange looking on the outside, with "Video Games" and "Born To Die" popping up in the top 50 in quick succession at the start of 2012, and her scoring a big #1 album straight after, almost as if all the hype had been built up in the space of a few weeks. Depending on your perspective, that may well have been the case.

Before you go, there's something of mild importance to address which I didn't think of until I was alerted a couple days ago. The next qualifying game concerns 'Songs by artists over 40', I didn't realise but this could be interpreted in two different ways and I'd like to see what the popular choice would be. Simply put, whether you would like it to be anything by artists who are right now, over the age of 40, or songs by artists who were over 40 when they released the nominated material. I don't mind either way, but I thought I should open up a poll to see what the popular concensus is http://www.strawpoll.me/13320947

Apart from that, next week we'll be looking at a diverse range of songs that have animal related titles. See you there

To participate in this proverbial zoo, you need to select your Top 25 to 40 selections from here and submit it to my inbox by 6pm on Wednesday. Also in other news the ACI might be a little late to open this week because the US have another holiday to delay the charts.

Oh, and the overwhelming favourite in poll option was artists who were 40 when the music was released, so get your thinking caps on for that.Last edited: 03/07/2017 09:14

In a rare special incident, we have a #101 finisher, the only song not to receive a vote. The Presidents Of The USA get a cat related track with "Kitty", and the cats continue as the #100 finisher is a track from Run The Jewels' "Meow The Jewels" album, which was a joke album idea turned real via kickstarter. Going back to the '90s, we've got Sublime's "Badfish" at #98, afterwards it's The Griswolds' recently certified gold single at #98. From David Bowie's "Let's Dance" album, it's "Cat People" at #97, while we finish off with the closing track on Madvillainy, "Rhinestone Cowboy".

Sarah Blasko has two entries in here this time around, the first one coming from her first album at #95. Then at #94 is Tumbleweed dedicating to everyone's favourite form of spider, "Daddy Long Legs" at #94. There's a tie at #92 with some early career Taylor Swift, "White Horse" her second song to ever crack the ARIA top 50, sitting next to late career The National, with "Pink Rabbits" from their most recently released album "Trouble Will Find Me". At #91 is the ridiculous "Three Little Pigs" from Green Jelly, the band originally called Green Jello until copyright had them change to Jelly, though the pronunciation stayed the same.

#86. Toby Fox - Bird That Carries You Over A Disproportionately Small Gap

Points - 28Current Voters - 2Top Vote - #26

Fleetwood Mac have two tracks in here, firstly "Songbird", sitting tied with the Pixies "Caribou", no relation to the artist of the same name. At #88 is one of Michael Jackson's earliest solo hits "Rockin' Robin", while at #87 is the first of three Bob Marley tracks, "Iron Lion Zion". Somehow all the way up at #86 is a 30 second track from Undertale's OST, which fits exactly the purpose the title suggests, in parody of epic, sweeping soundscapes that accompany things in RPGs like airships and the like.

To wrap things up here, first is a '60s novelty track that you may or may not associate with a modern US cartoon series, The Trashmen's "Surfin' Bird". First Aid Kit have one of the two animal related songs on their first album, "Wolf" at #84, while the recently reformed Ride find their place at #83 with "Polar Bear". We go back all the way to System Of A Down's first album for their track "Spiders" at #82, while Bob Marley finishes us off with one of his most well known tracks "Three Little Birds" at #81.

I was up stupidly late last night so I apologise for being a little slow on this one, which also relates to the ACI which I will prep as soon as I get time to tonight. In the mean time, if you wish to participate in this charade, I ask that you select your Top 20 to 32 from here and submit it to me by 6pm on Friday.Last edited: 05/07/2017 16:55

Kicking things off, is everyone's favourite song about becoming an estranged father whose son goes on to be just like you because of that estrangement, "Cat's In The Cradle". Things then take a turn for the fast punk rock with a back to back of Millencolin's solo Hottest 100 hit "Penguins & Polarbears", and No Doubt's "Spiderwebs" from their "Tragic Kingdom" album. And now yeah, Alpine's here with a different song on their 2nd album, "Shot Fox" at #77, while #76 gives us another song that you may be more familiar with via a '90s cover version, that is if you ever grew up on "Space Jam", as the Steve Miller Band's "Fly Like An Eagle" lands at #76.

To the joy of any Norf Norf ladies in the world, Vince Staples' "Big Fish" comes complete with clean lyrics, which is a surprise considering it also features an uncredited Juicy J on the hook. One of Tame Impala's biggest hits comes through at #74 which is a slight drop off from their last performance. To contrast their fake '60s psych rock, now we actually go back in time, first with the title track from Ween's "The Mollusk" album, which of course also features that song that was on the Spongebob movie, and then we go even further back to the late '70s with Squeeze and "Cool For Cats". Finishing things up with the modern, is Australia's version of White Lies, City Calm Cown and "Rabbit Run" at #71.

For those who don't stalk all my Twitter replies, the error with "Counting Sheep" last round is that I counted one of its votes under the other song called "Counting Sheep". With its votes counted correctly now, it lands at #70. Then at #69 we have Madness with a song you might not pick from the title but is probably quite well known, "Wings Of A Dove". We then at #68 greet song that perhaps is appropriate for Of Monsters and Men's name, "King and Lionheart" at #68. We go to Something For Kate's '90s years with the title track to "Beautiful Sharks" at #67, while we finish off Bob Marley's set with "Buffalo Soldier" at #66.

For a more exotic naming inclusion in this list, we go to Demi Lovato's "Nightingale" at #65. Then at #64 we have a rare case of a hit single which was based on an opera, Malcolm McLaren's "Madame Butterfly". In contrast to golf, or perhaps the same if you consider the way scoring works, Fleetwood Mac land at #63 with "Albatross" while we still have an 'eagle' and some 'bird's waiting in the wings. Lastly is Adam and the Ants' Australian #1 hit "Antmusic" at #62, as we have a tie at #60!

Should fortune shine properly, 21 one these songs will be eliminated on Monday, with the 40 surviving songs being the ones that you so will to be, provided you remember to submit your Top 15 to 24 selections to me by 6pm on Monday. The ACI is also ready to take your votes, and I'll see you in the new week.

One of those lucky songs to get by on a tie last round, "Cattle and Cane", remains perched at the bottom. This section is nearly full of other songs with just one active voter behind them at the present, Swedish House Mafia taking a slight dive to #60 with their instrumental "Greyhound". The one exception in this set comes from Mr. Tom Jones, with "What's New Pussycat?" having two voters guiding it to #59. Elsewhere we can link the rest of these songs, starting with The Beatles' "Blackbird" at #58, a colour shared by KT Tunstall's horse at #57. Ginuwine doesn't specify his horse's colour, though there might be a slight insinuation in the lyrics, maybe.

Sliding into this round with a tie, Tamar Braxton slightly improves up to #55 with her cavalcade of animals on display. We then have a severe disparity of age with Elvis Presley at #54 sitting next to Tkay Maidza's debut single at #53. All the people demanding that I 'POST FREE BIRD' are perhaps satiated at #52, while sitting in the very middle of the list with 50 songs either side of it, are the gazey stylings of Blonde Redhead.

I'm hoping PETA won't step in to stop Peter Gabriel who evidently doesn't have the nicest of plans with his show and tell animal here at #50. With correctly counted votes, SAFIA bring us another instance of "Counting Sheep" at #49, sitting just behind the first of another pair of repeated titles, with Neon Trees fairing much better than their last outing with "Animal". Spiderbait are back at it again with "Buy Me A Pony" at #47, while Interpol have been mad at me not posting these results straight away as they'd rather be spared of the suspense. Alas, "Mammoth"'s waiting ends at #46.

Celebrating its 20th birthday a couple months ago was Foo Fighters' "The Colour and the Shape", much regarded for having the song "Monkey Wrench" on it among others, that song in particular landing at #45. We then stay in that particular time frame as They Might Be Giants get particularly silly with their ode about the drummer who'd like to be called "Dr. Worm" despite being neither a doctor nor a worm. We then have an early look into Robyn's transformation into glorious dance pop queen with "Cobrastyle", a song I've just learnt is actually a cover. Landing just ahead is the Jamaican group Toots and the Maytals, who were formed 55 years ago and are still going today, while Katy Perry falls just short of the top 40 with her obscure album track "Dark Horse".

Now, we haven't yet been able to eliminate 20 songs in a round so far in this game but maybe this time we will. It will go especially swimmingly if you're able to submit your Top 10 to 16 from this lot to me by 6pm Wednesday (I will have an appointment at the time so the results may be a little later than usual).

Falling a tiny bit short of replicating their success from 2 games ago, The The land in the top 40 for a second time with "Dogs Of Lust". We then have the return of "Black Beatles" for its first time since the ARIA EOY game, this time a bit lower at #39. The rest of this set is Hottest 100 alumni of varying success. We've got Pendulum's low placing "Tarantula" landing right next to Mumford & Sons's poll topping "Little Lion Man" at #37. We then have another track that's named after something that's named after an animal...or something like that, with Fun Lovin' Criminals' "Scooby Snacks" at #36.

We've got blistering post punk from The Walkmen at #35 and mesmerizing psych rock from Jefferson Airplane at #34, but this isn't a battle of critical acclaim so they can play second fiddle to The Fauves' anthem for dogs at #33. Mariah Carey had "Butterfly" in this game a few months ago, which I apparently called lovely in the commentary, but this time around it was accelerated to me voting for it, which helps it reach a higher placing of #32 this time around. This set finishes with more dogs courtesy of Maggie Rogers at #31.

We have successfully avoiding f**king with the Smithies' dreams of top 30 QLVG placing, the highest they've reached to date with their 3rd appearance. We stay in that very triple j niche with the very beardy Holy Holy at #29, giving us 3 'dog' songs in the space of 5 songs. Though she was briefly top 10 last round, Sarah Blasko's bird was on quite the precarious wire and ends up at #28. King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard have the first of their two entries at #27, while Grimes has the relentless "Venus Fly" at #26.

While not reaching the top 20 heights that "Genghis Khan" managed, Miike Snow have another strong finish with "Animal" at #25. We then go way back in time to Daddy Cool's "Eagle Rock", which spent so long at #1 in Australia that it would end up being topped by a song called "Daddy Cool". With a bizarre title, Radiohead land the opening track to "Amnesiac" at #23. At #22 we have Desiigner whose "Panda" lands in the very middle of its prior #19 & #25 finishes. As a fun fact, giant pandas were removed from the endangered species list right when the song was at its peak, and the WWF personally thanked Desiigner for it. Lastly, we have Culture Club who perhaps could have cracked the top 20 if not for their bad round 3 that they couldn't quite recover from.

To determine who will come up trumps for this game, I'll require that you submit your Top 5 to 8 selections from this and submit it to me by 6pm on Friday. You may also freely vote in this strawpoll http://www.strawpoll.me/13398279 and in the ACI. It's looking like the current qualifying game might take a little while yet to finish, so I may have a week's break after this game to give it more time, and also because I don't think I've had one since the start of the year.

We kick off the top 20 with an '80s classic, though one that couldn't find a new vote this round, as Duran Duran slip to #20 with "Hungry Like The Wolf". It sits alongside one of the smallest sums of an artist's age & the number of lyrics in their UK #1 hit, with Martin Garrix's "Animals", with a persistent slip, landing at #19.

To reverse things, we have a song that's done nothing but climb, with Suede's "Animal Nitrate" racing to become the top 'animal' song in the list at #18. In a similar sense, Elton John raced to crack the top 20 the moment he needed to with "Crocodile Rock" ending up at #17.

Though it seems like a foreign concept today, Iggy Azalea managed a big hit to follow "Fancy" with "Black Widow", which neither she, nor Rita Ora has managed to replicate since on a worldwide scale. Here it finishes 1 below its ARIA peak at #16, sitting next to another big non-top 10 hit with one of The Smashing Pumpkins' defining hits "Bullet With Butterfly Wings" being trapped like a rat in a cage at #15.

Recently being tropified, the perennial presence of the Unofficial Catalogue Singles Chart in Daryl Braithwaite's "The Horses" lands at #14. To counter Dazza's grand romanticism is AlunaGeorge with the much less inviting suggestion that everything the other person says is metaphorical garbage in "Attracting Flies" at #13.

Nelly Furtado has her breakthrough hit "I'm Like A Bird" landing at #12, which appropriately lands between a bird and something that flies, because the #11 finisher is Alice In Chains with their 6 minute brooder "Rooster".

The Cure give us their rare happy times with "The Lovecats" at #10, while in a moment of glory, we have Pnau landing at #9 with "Chameleon", which is exactly where it landed last time it was in the game!

The song that has affinity to Australia since Rage Against The Machine debuted it at the Big Day Out, "Bulls On Parade" rallies around the #8 position with a pocket full of shells. Keeping up the anger, we've got TV On The Radio landing at #7 with "Wolf Like Me".

With the chaotic songwriting continuing, we now have The B-52's and their wacky but glorious nonsense in "Rock Lobster" at #6. Things finally turn down just a little bit with Yeah Yeah Yeahs' and their "Gold Lion" at #5, which was my introduction to the band.

Looking back at the vintage days of "Flying Microtonal Banana"-era King Gizzard, we've got their highest ever entry to date with "Rattlesnake" up at #4. We then take a break from this rock parade as we've got the first big Florence + The Machine single to get airplay (I remember back when their Wikipedia article was devoid of info), "Dog Days Are Over" at #3.

Moving on from a queen of peace to a bird of peace, in the runner up slot we have Prince showing us what it sounds like "When Doves Cry" at #2. It was actually an interesting battle for the top this time around, as the leader changed every single round. In the end though, it proves that the fact that I tried to nominate it after it was already qualified, indicated that it was looking to be a popular choice, as we reach the end of Satan's rainbow to find Regurgitator topping the list with "Black Bugs", perhaps the only hit song written about annoying enemies from video games that keep killing you.

That is once again a wrap, and I thank everyone who participates in this. Next week I'm keen for a quick break so I won't start the 'Over 40s' round until Monday the 24th. To make sure something does happen, we'll start the qualifying game at the usual time, with another tie in the polls, meaning we'll start with samples/interpolations, and then go to noun songs. The ACI is open, and enjoy your weekend!

Starting off with some null votes. It's quite an introduction with one of Allen Ginsberg's final impressions in his lifetime with "Ballad Of The Skeletons", which I personally can't wait for a certain Hottest 100 themed podcast to digest. The Grateful Dead also show up here with a later track in their discography, one that was recently covered by The War On Drugs as tribute. The rest of this is 2000s output for artists perhaps better known in the '90s or the '80s, with entries from Tears For Fears, Toni Braxton & Whitney Houston.

We continue that theme with the next two songs. Firstly Janet Jackson with the hair licking ferocity of "Feedback" at #95, and then Sheryl Crow with a big late career hit with a remake of "The First Cut Is The Deepest". We then have some even older artists, firstly Blondie with their explosive comeback in "Maria" which netted them a surprise UK #1, while Cliff Richard has one of his more recognisable later career hits in "Wired For Sound" at #92.

The ties keep up, we now have Jay-Z with the lead single to his latest album "4:44", a song I qualified before I had listened to it. Also at #90 is the first of several entries for Mariah Carey. Though no one may know how old she really is, everyone was kind enough to avoid any of her material that might be on the cusp of that qualification mark. We then follow up with Jennifer Lopez soundtracking an animated film, while Pharrell Williams is surprisingly NOT soundtracking an animated film. Lastly at #87 is "These Days", Foo Fighters' highest selling single this decade.

Peter Gabriel scored a US Alt #1 in the '90s with "Steam" though he continues to unfortunately avoid Spotify with most of his catalogue. We're also back to soundtracks with one of the many soundtracky Sia songs of late, "Never Give Up" also tied at #85. Then for one last tie, we've got one of Bruce Springsteen's more popular eligible tracks in "Secret Garden", sitting next to a return of Fatboy Slim's "Slash Dot Dash", and another '90s Alt #1 from an '80s rocker in Tom Petty's "You Don't Know How It Feels". We finish with the soundtrack to many a TV commercial, in The Pretenders' "I'll Stand By You".

Should you wish to keep the ones you love afloat, it is vital that you participate by selecting your Top 20 to 32 from this lot and submitting it all to me by 6pm on Friday. The ACI is also ready to take your votes, as is the qualifying game which is nearly finished.

A lot of eras spanned in this first selection. Firstly we have David Bowie's last Australian top 50 single (not including 2016 re-entries) with his track "Hallo Spaceboy" as made more hip by the admittedly under 40 Pet Shop Boys. Speaking of re-making tracks, with Mariah Carey's "It's A Wrap" which was originally on her "Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel" album, and then 5 years later done again with Mary J. Blige added. To turn things around from artists with sustained success, at #78 we have Dionne Warwick who scored what was at the time her biggest Australian hit with "Heartbreaker" reaching #2, a #1 miss she'd go on to fix later in the decade. Similarly to before, we have Bette Midler in at #77 with her last Australian hit, but one of her most well known with a cover of "From A Distance". Capping us off is Frank Sinatra just a little past his 50th birthday with his famous recording of "Strangers In The Night".

Strictly a modern set here with the oldest song just over 10 years old. But we kick off with one of the newest songs in the game, Jay-Z's very recently released "Caught Their Eyes", the second song to appear here from "4:44". At #74 is Mariah Carey with what I believe is her most recent song to reach the Australian charts, and a personal favourite in "The Art Of Letting Go". From Kylie Minogue's most recent studio album is the Pharrell-penned "I Was Gonna Cancel" at #73, followed by a cut from Pearl Jam's avocado album from 2006, "World Wide Suicide". Lastly is another 2017 cut, with persistent, consistent indie rockers Spoon and "Can I Sit Next To You".Last edited: 28/07/2017 10:55

The first of three entries for Tina Turner comes in at #70, that being "Private Dancer". It's followed by Mariah Carey with a favourite of aus-charts' combined countdowns in her soundtrack single "Almost Home". Coming from his 2nd solo album is System of a Down frontman Serj Tankian with "Left Of Center" at #68. At #67 is John Farnham still at the height of his career renaissance with another of his biggest hits in "Burn For You", followed by a rare guestless track on Dr. Dre's long awaited 3rd album with "Talking To My Diary".

With his first solo album to come post-Powderfinger, Bernard Fanning found some success with lead single "Battleships" which lands here at #65. If you think people mellow down in age, then take a look at Foo Fighters who kick off their 2011 album with the absolute bang that is "Bridge Burning". Though it does sit next to Elton John with one of his later big hits, the ballad "Sacrifice". At #62 is Shirley Bassey with a cover of a song from the musical "La Cage aux Folles", which she also used as the album title. Lastly we have the perpetually 50+ sounding Rod Stewart with a cover of a Tom Waits song that became a big hit in 1989 despite everything about that sentence making it sound implausible.

But we all know that we want to see our favourite songs through to the next round, as that could be dubbed the prestigious title of '40 over 40'. They'll need your vote to get there though, so waste no time in submitting to me, your Top 15 to 24 selections, or at least not so much that you don't get it in by 6pm Monday. While you're doing that, you can also get something in for the ACI if you fancy, and feel free to suggest new qualifying game ideas, because I'll be putting up another poll on Monday. See you then.

We kick off today's proceedings with Blur's most recent album, the track "Lonesome Street" perhaps being the closest throwback to the Blur of the '90s. We then have the career renaissance of Paul Simon with the title track to "Graceland", and album we'll visit again later in this list. At #58 is a track from Sonic Youth's 10th album, "Sunday", same going for Weezer with their 10th album (and 4th self-titled album) getting an entry with "Thank God For Girls" at #57. Then at #56 we have the 3rd Run The Jewels album which is also the second to feature a collaboration with BOOTS, "2100" landing at #56.

Alice Cooper did the impressive feat of reaching #1 on the UK charts with "Poison" which lands here at #55. Following that, we have the most recent Bjork album, represented by key track "Stonemilker" at #54. PJ Harvey never stopped releasing albums, but achieved re-heightened acclaim in 2011 with her "Let England Shake" album, making her the only artist to ever win two Mercury Prizes. At #52 we have New Order's "Crystal", whose video features a fictional band called The Killers who went on to be a real band shortly after. Ending the first half of the list is My Bloody Valentine, who released their 3rd album just 22 years after their 2nd, which featured the rather lovely "New You".

Speaking of comebacks, Ben Folds Five set one of the longest gaps between Hottest 100 entries (if you don't include solo Ben Folds) with their return to the spotlight courtesy of drawing dicks on the wall. At #49 we have the first of two tracks from Radiohead's most recent album, though "True Love Waits" is a song that was written and performed 2 decades prior, but only officially released last year. We then have another comeback album with At The Drive-In just recently releasing their first new album this century, "Incurably Innocent" becoming a surprise ACI hit in the process. At #47 is the very '90s combo of Massive Attack and Mazzy Star's Hope Sandoval, though both of their collaborations have been this decade. We finish off this set with Depeche Mode's most recent ARIA Charter, the bombastic "Wrong" at #46.

Keeping up the '80s new wave in the '00s, we've got Duran Duran's "(Reach Up For The) Sunrise" which may be familiar to you if you had free-to-air TV at the time. Madonna just now has lost the first of her 3 entries with "What It Feels Like For A Girl" at #44, and we stay in the topic of things released in April of 2001 as Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds land down with "As I Sat Sadly By Her Side". Sia lands at #42 with a slight technicality on "Cheap Thrills", released as a promo single a couple weeks before Sia's 40th birthday, but as a pushed single & on an album the next year. Lastly, we have some 2000s Metallica with their highly successful album "Death Magnetic" and its lead single "The Day That Never Comes".

So there's not long left to go before we find out who reigns supreme here. In order to influence it to your favour, you'd do best to submit a Top 10 to 16 list from these selections to me by 6pm on Wednesday.

Not as promised on Friday, there is no new voting poll, but that's because I forgot there was still a qualifying game to be run. So on Tuesday I'll be bringing back the qualifying thread as we look at songs with noun titles. Since I have to be up earlier than usual, I might start the thread earlier than usual too!

We start this off with one of Annie Lennox's biggest solo hits and a song that grows more on me every time it comes up here. Tina Turner has her second entry with the consistently places "What's Love Got To Do With It", while Dean Martin can thank a handy boost in the second round to make it up to #38 with "Everybody Loves Somebody". Off the back of a perhaps heightened profile due to his collaboration with Daft Punk, we have a pure pop injection with Giorgio Moroder & Kylie Minogue at #37. Lastly at #36 is that slightly more well known hit from Paul Simon's "Graceland" that unluckily stalled at #2 on the Australian Charts.

With his late career renaissance shortly before his passing, we have a big radio favourite from Roy Orbison with "You Got It" at #35. Following that we have a solo project from Metric's Emily Haines at #34, with a song that was originally recorded as a Metric song, but redone for her upcoming second solo album. Bette Midler turns her 7's into 3's with her second entry "Wind Beneath My Wings". At #32 is one of those older than you might think acts in Garbage, who with an unchanged lineup since forming in the '90s, nearly average out to an age of 60. We then finish off with a big solo hit for Blondie's Deborah Harry at #31.

With a hit streak that just wouldn't quit, Madonna saw big success with perhaps her most iconic hit of the 21st century in "Hung Up" which lands here at #30. Then there's another older than you might think act, as Goldfrapp were actually eligible for this round with all but their first album, Will originally being a touring member with Tears For Fears and Alison not being much younger. In that sense it's weird to think that A Tribe Called Quest and Busta Rhymes are a fair bit younger, with this common pairing coming back for the final Tribe album in 2016. Long enduring Willie Nelson has something of a standard in "On The Road Again" landing at #27, while Sleater-Kinney returned in 2015 for their first album in 10 years, still every bit as angry as before on "Bury Your Friends" at #26.

Coming for a second round with Foo Fighters' "Wasting Light" album, we have one of the bigger singles in "Arlandria" at #25. Then after that we have what is still the most recent Tool album, having kept their fans waiting for 11 years and counting since "10,000 Days". At #23 we have indie rock stalwarts The National with the first single from their upcoming 7th album. At #22 we've got a cover version by Jimmy Cliff recorded for the Cool Runnings soundtrack which was a hit because it was 1993 and it was reggae, and lastly is a surprisingly high finish for David Bowie (considering how long it took to get nominated in) with "New Killer Star" from his "Reality" album that would not see a follow up until a decade later.

It's up to you for what's going to get it though. You just need to determine your Top 5 to 8 selections and send them through to me by 6pm on Friday, upon which I should be slightly more timely with my result posting. I also plan on preparing the ACI later tonight even though Billboard is being egregiously late, so feel free to vote in that if you are so inclined.

Storming their way into the top 10, though with a bit of a final round slump, we kick things off with U2's "Electrical Storm". We then finish off Tina Turner's trio of entries with a #1 hit in "We Don't Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)", which just snuck into this round so it's not surprising to see it out early.

A catalogue selling favourite is Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler", which does well to land at #18 on the list. It's followed by a late career solo effort for George Harrison which contributed to the fact that every Beatle had a solo #1 at one point.

At #16 we have Madonna at her most shagadelic with the highest of her three entries on this list, "Beautiful Stranger". At #15 is Red Hot Chili Peppers with their huge hit "Dani California" which did well to help solidify a new generation of fans at the time.

Yet another lead off single from an upcoming album featured here, we've got Queens Of The Stone Age's most recent single "The Way You Used To Do", which continues the strong form that QOTSA have shown in this game in recent months. Sitting at #13 is another showcase of Johnny Cash covering '90s alt rock favourites, this time around "Rusty Cage" originally by Soundgarden.

We've had a good helping of Foo Fighters & Queens Of The Stone Age in this game, now we combine them with the as-of-yet once off collaboration (along with John Paul Jones from Led Zeppelin) in Them Crooked Vultures' "Mind Eraser, No Chaser", one of the rare tracks on the album with Dave on vocals as well. At #11 is one of the most appropriate entries for this game, with "We Didn't Start The Fire" being an endless recounting of all the major historical events in the first 40 years of Billy Joel's life.

Starting off the top 10 is the queen of the comeback, with Cher making one of the biggest hits of her career in 1989's "If I Could Turn Back Time". It finds an appropriate placing here as it actually blocked "We Didn't Start The Fire" from reaching #1 on the ARIA Chart. Following that we have Beck with the first single he released since winning the Grammy Award for Album Of The Year, though with a completely different sound to what was happening on that award winning album.

Keeping up with the times and still scoring hits in the '80s, Diana Ross had a particularly big hit with "Chain Reaction", a song written by and featuring the Bee Gees. Then at #7 is another band who disappeared for a long time and came back a decade later with just as much adoration, as Portishead's "Third" album featured the particularly beautiful "The Rip" which lands at #7.

Next up we have some career end moments, as at #6 is the title track to the last album David Bowie released, just days before his passing in early 2016. Similarly, Marvin Gaye was able to score one last big hit a couple years before his passing with "Sexual Healing" which lands at #5.

Landing at #4 is arguably Australia's biggest contribution to the Christmas canon with Paul Kelly's "How To Make Gravy" landing at #4. Its uplifting optimism in the face of adversity strikes a strong contrast to #3, with Radiohead's standard dour tones with the lead single to their 9th album. Ever so unlucky for "Burn The Witch", which at one point received votes from everyone, but falls off the top of the table in the last round.

We finish off this game with something of a surprise. On both accounts really as they're not songs you'd expect to see up this high. In the runner up slot is Louis Armstrong with his ever enduring "What A Wonderful World", which didn't become a hit in many places until 20 years after it was released, and long after Louis had died of a heart attack. It has to make way for The Chemical Brothers, who in 2015 released their 8th album. Featured here is the lead single "Go", which features Q-Tip on vocals a decade after originally collaborating on "Galvanize", and it means that he joins the odd company of Drake & Dave Grohl for being the only people to perform on two QLVG winners.

And so that is, as Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige would say, a wrap. Join the thread next week as we will look into an eclectic set of songs that feature samples and/or interpolations. The qualifying game for noun songs is also currently running, and the ACI will readily take your votes. Enjoy your weekend.

Sorry for being a little late, but nonetheless I bring a new game featuring songs with samples and/or interpolations. In this eclectic set, we've got expected samples, but we also have some genre bending samples, samples from movies, samples from video games, samples from motivational speeches, it's quite a handful!

Another one of those rounds that were hard to get down to 40 votes, we have two null scorers. Kicking it off is the original Bliss N Eso track to sample a Hottest 100 hit from a couple years ago, I assure you it's a lot better than what followed. The stakes are risen just a little bit with the second of The Notorious B.I.G.'s posthumous Hot 100 #1 hits "Mo Money Mo Problems", which actually replaced "I'll Be Missing You" at the top of the charts. With a peak under the curtains, I can say Busdriver's "Imaginary Places" was narrowly below my 2002 EOY list (I'm slowly working through 2001 atm) while at #97 is the second of Skrillex's big 2011 hits with odd vocal samples. One of the more odd sample choices in this game is Drake's "6 God", which features an instrumental of "Haunted Chase" from Donkey Kong Country 2, which means that legendary video game composer David Wise has cowritten a Billboard #1 album.

From the new realm of hip hop to the old, we turn to an early hit for Snoop Dogg in "What's My Name?", alongside Biz Markie's endlessly uplifting friend zone anthem "Just A Friend". Kraftwerk are back after a few months of QLVG silence with "Tour De France", and they sit nicely next to one of the earliest big dance hit singles with M/A/R/R/S' (I don't recommend typing their name correctly on aus-charts :p) "Pump Up The Volume". Beck slots all sorts of weird sounds of which some are samples for #91's "Loser".

A classic case of sampling comes at #90 with De La Soul's lift of "Name and Number" for "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)". Chiddy Bang have a bit of cheek to their methods with "Opposite Of Adults" flipping the beat from, you guessed it, "Kids" at #89. Carly Rae Jepsen samples the intro to Madonna's Lucky Star" for the intro to recent single "Cut To The Feeling". Lastly we have Limp Bizkit who interpolated the Mission: Impossible theme song for their own contribution to the Mission: Impossible 2 soundtrack, which made an 8 year old me think that Limp Bizkit did the original theme.

In order to have a disco hit single in the 2000s, Alcazar took their inspiration with a disco sample from the 1970s on "Crying At The Discotheque". At #85 is one of the first big hits for one Norman Cook who we will be seeing later, with the sample heavy "Dub Be Good To Me". Also no strangers to the whole system is The Avalanches, who I would be here all day if I were to list off all their samples. Their first entry lands at #84 and they'll be back later. At #83 we have the title track to what many would say is the greatest hip hop album of the '90s if not ever, with the genius GZA on "Liquid Swords". At #82 is a breakout hit for De La Soul with "Me Myself and I", while we finish off with Twista slowing down his rapid flow just a little to sit alongside a Bill Withers sample on "Sunshine".

It's up to you to determine how things play out from here, so you'd be prudent to determine your Top 20 to 32 selections from here and submit to me by 6pm on Friday. The ACI is also ready to take your votes if you have any interest in doing so.

We kick things off with the inception of this game, with Lupe Fiasco sampling a song that samples another song which is actually a cover, courtesy of Jill Scott's hook and a string sample. At #79 is Robbie Williams interpolating an ATCQ classic in "Can I Kick It?" with "Rock DJ", while Pendulum sample the film "Spider-Man 2" on "Fasten Your Seatbelt". Nas takes a very popular sample from Michael Jackson's "Human Nature" for "It Ain't Hard To Tell", while no one's favourite Fugee teams up with some people's favourite Wu-Tang member to sample Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton for "Ghetto Supastar" at #76.

Not looking back very far, Butterfingers' 2005 single "Fig Jam" heavily samples The Herd's 2003 single "77%" with slightly less social commentary. Not having anything to do with preventing the action of pro wrestlers, we have Apollo 440's "Stop The Rock" at #74, followed by one of the many sample heavy cuts on Moby's "Play" album with "Honey". Finishing off this lot is Kendrick Lamar's sample of Janet Jackson's "Any Time, Any Place", landing 18 places higher than that did when it recently was entered.

Sitting at #70 is a posthumous UK #1 hit from Aaliyah with "More Than A Woman", which sits next to Stardust's "Music Sounds Better With You". The Pussycat Dolls had a top 10 hit with their wonderfully over the top "Hush Hush; Hush Hush" which briefly samples "I Will Survive". No one nominated "Good Feeling" so the winner of the Etta James war is Avicii with "Levels" at #67, sitting tied with another Nas track, this one his collaboration with Damien Marley and the endlessly hype "As We Enter". We then return to the "Name and Number" barrel, this time with Little Mix doing the duty on "How Ya Doin'?" at #66.

A huge hit for J-Lo in 2011 was "On The Floor", anchored by its sample of "Lambada". We then have Mark Ronson's first credited hit "Ooh Wee" at #64. At #63 is Holly Valance doing what you'd expect with her debut single, which is mining the Turkish pop scene for "Kiss Kiss". One of N.W.A.'s cleanest songs is "Express Yourself" at #62 which triple j once played 200+ times in one day. Finishing off in the unlucky spot is Destiny's Child which aside from impacting the dictionary, also samples "Edge Of Seventeen".Last edited: 11/08/2017 10:47

But perhaps your favourites are at risk this round? You cannot fully ensure their safety, but voting your Top 15 to 24 selections is a good way to help. I'm also on the look out for ACI votes if you want to do that, but otherwise, enjoy your weekend.

It was a slight surprise for me to see "Stop Me" through to the third run as it was previously the lower of Mark Ronson's two entries here. It serves as a cover of The Smiths with a slight interpolation of The Supremes later in the track. At #59 is one of the biggest dance hits of the '90s with ATB's "9pm", and speaking of big UK #1 hits, we have the Joey Bada$$ song that I slightly suspect only made the ARIA Chart because people mistook it for the Clean Bandit song (though I'm very glad that did happen). At #57 is Rita Ora interpolating The Notorious B.I.G.'s 'party and bullshit', while for the lead single of alt-J's 2nd album, they sourced an unlikely Miley Cyrus sample.

I believe this is the second time that Tamar Braxton has just barely slipped into the third round, but here she is moving up to #55 with "The One", yet another Notorious B.I.G. sampling entry here. Earlier this year, Stormzy brought grime back into the UK top 10 in a big way with "Big For Your Boots", while at #53 is a track from Watch The Throne, an album for which just about every song would be eligible here. The Weeknd's latest album has a Tears For Fears sample contained in "Secrets" at #52, while Hilltop Hoods are making origami of this QLVG at #51.

Get your talkboxes out for 2Pac & Dre with 'Caaaaaalifornia love' at #50. At #49 is "Black Steel" from Tricky's hugely acclaimed debut album. Proving samples go a long way back, we've got The Doors with "Hello, I Love You" at #48. One of the most obvious recipients for this game is Coolio's Stevie Wonder interpolating "Gangsta's Paradise" at #47, followed by Drake & Rihanna flipping a Gil Scott Heron track with "Take Care".

Getting into proper banger territory with Daft Punk's "Aerodynamic", the first of their two entries in here. In fact it's a very dance heavy sequence with only a slight exception of Azealia Banks' "212". Fatboy Slim shows up in his true form at #43 with "Gangsta Trippin'", while at #42 is Dario G's "Sunchyme" which is definitely a different song to "Life In A Northern Town". Just missing out is a slight forum favourite from Sigala last year, sampling Mariah Carey's "Always Be My Baby".

With one of the most bizarre samples on this list, we have Disclosure's "When A Fire Starts To Burn" kicking off the proceedings at #40. It's followed by a sample that's bizarre for different reasons with Puff Daddy's huge smash "I'll Be Missing You". Linkin Park are big on samples with this because Mike Shinoda likes to slip them in, even if you don't notice them. "Somewhere I Belong" represents them at #38. Time will tell if DJ Khaled's sampling of a former Hot 100 #1 can convert into a new Hot 100 #1 with "Wild Thoughts" but for the time being, he lands at #37 on this list, followed by the centerpiece to The Weeknd's first mixtape, heavily sampling Siouxsie and the Banshees for "House Of Balloons / Glass Table Girls".

In perhaps a sneaky way to get a song in play two games in a row, we've got Nicki Minaj sampling Annie Lennox for "Your Love" at #35, one of Nicki's first ever hits. Beyonce meanwhile sources Donna Summer to introduce "Naughty Girl" at #34. We then get of all things, a Grand Funk Railroad sample on KRS-One's hardhitting "Sound Of Da Police". The oldest song in this list comes from Johnny Cash with his famous in prison performance of "Folsom Prison Blues" at #32. It sits next to a song that's a bit over 60 years newer, with Selena Gomez sampling one Talking Heads song for "Bad Liar" and doing it to the tune of another Talking Heads song.

Sampling the opening track to Michael Jackson's "Thriller", is one of Rihanna's many #1 hits "Don't Stop The Music" at #30. Danny Brown then heavily interpolates the outro to "Ni**as In Paris" for "Dip" at #29, while Skepta snags a riff from Queens Of The Stone Age on #28's "Man". At #27 is the king of bootleg sampling with Girl Talk's "Steady Shock". If you've ever wanted to hear Nicki Minaj rap over Blue Oyster Cult, Drake rap over A Flock of Seagulls and Juicy J rap over Nirvana, have a party https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1pd69r1Il8 while M.I.A. turns to Bollywood for the inspiration on "Jimmy" at #26.

A fascinating lesson for me in doing this game is that Nirvana's iconic riff for "Come As You Are" is actually just a slowed down version of a Killing Joke riff from the '80s. A far more obvious sample comes from Kanye West's "POWER" which builds up to a release on King Crimson's "21st Century Schizoid Man". We then get remarkably more subtle with Fastball's "The Way" sampling a few songs (I can make out "Vogue") in its station shifting intro. I was actually under the impression that Arcade Fire's "Everything Now" sampled an ABBA song at the start, but it's actually the flute whistle from the song's bridge that has been lifted. Lastly, we have Regurgitator's ode to fortune cookies that includes all manner of silly kung fu samples that the band act out in the music video, because they're Regurgitator.

But who will be the winner winner chicken dinner this fortnight? Rather than rely on the luck of circle placement, it instead relies on the luck of you deducing your Top 5 to 8 selections from this and submitting them to me by 6pm on Friday, after which I shall deliver the news. I'd love to get an ACI vote from you also especially since anton is busy and I need to compensate the numbers, while you may also readily vote in the latest poll to decide the next nominations game here http://www.strawpoll.me/13702198